Multiple utility clamp and bracket



June 23, 1953 J. A. HUMPHREYS 2,543,046

MULTIPLE UTILITY CLAMP AND BRACKET Filed Jan. 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .5 FIG. I;

IN V EN TOR.

J A A. H BY 030,0 umphrells June 23, 1953 J. A. HUMPHREYS 2,643,045

MULTIPLE UTILITY CLAMP AND BRACKET Filed Jan. 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

mp6 A. Humphrey: Y

Patented June 23, 1953 UNITED stares MULTIPLE UTILITY CLAMP AND BRACKET Joseph A. Humphreys, Gohasset, Mass.

Application January 13, 1949, Serial No. 70,689

2.01airns. 1

The present invention relates to an article of manufacture which has various utilities of different associations which makes it difficult to as sign a more accurate name than perhaps a multiple utility holder, clamp and bracket. The device according to the present invention may be used to raise containers 01f a surface such as a shelf or the like, so that the bottom ofthe container will not come in contact with the sup porting surface. This is particularly useful for such containers holding soap powders or like water soluble substances which normally are kept on stands or where the containers may come in contact with wet surfaces. In such cases, the article of the present invention is used to stand the carton or container away from the surface such that when the surface becomes wet, the bottom of the container may still remain dry. Uses for other types of similar packaged material is also contemplated under the present invention.

Besides this, the article of manufacture may be used as a small bracket for a holder of such things as knives, toothbrushes, or the like. In this case, the bracket is provided with slots by means of which it may be fastened to a wall through the use of proper screws.

The present invention, in addition to the above uses, may be used as a clothespin on a line. It is further to be understood that other possible uses of the article of manufacture herein described are contemplated and that therefore the enumeration of the above uses should not be construed as a limitation for the use of the article of manufacture according to the present invention. For want of more definite means of definition in the spirit of the foregoing description, and for the purpose of classification, the device may generally be considered as coming under the classification of supporting brackets, angle brackets or holders for sup-porting various articles.

Without further describing the merits and advantages of the present invention, the invention will be described in connection with the drawings annexed hereto in which Figure 1 shows the article of the present invention in a perspective View. Figure 2 shows a plan elevation of the article shown in Figure 1 as viewed from. the top. Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the same article. Figure 4 shows an end elevation as viewed from the left side of Figure 2. Figure 5 shows the article of Figure 1 as applied to a container, the container being partly shown in section. Figure 6 shows an end view of the combination of Figure 5 in fragmentary section. Figme 7 shows an end view in fragmentary section with the. stand or bracket inserted in the container prior to its use in the normal way. Figure 8 shows the bracket in perspective view as used on a clothesline. Figure 9 shows a side e1evation of the bracket as used for a toothbrush holder, and Figure 10 shows a view of the bracket as used asaknife holder.

In the device as shown in the figures above, the article indicated in Figures 1 to- 4 shows in general an angle bracket having a vertical section I and a substantially horizontal section 2, as referred to the position of Figure 1 in the drawings. It is to be understood that the bracket may be. used in a horizontal, vertical, or an inclined position. The. side has at its ends two extending legs 3. and 4 in each of which there may be provided slots 5 and 6 by means of which the bracket may be attached to a wall or surface with screws as indicated by 1, 8, and 9. (Figures 9 and 10) passing through the slots within an enlarged head on the inside. The horizontal portion 2 of the bracket is preferably formed with-three fingersv 10, II, and I2 with the central member ll inclined at a different angle from the outside elements [0 and :2. This angle is not definitely fixed, but should be of the order of 10 to possibly 30 degrees. The three prongs or fingers l0, H, and i2, as indicated in Figure 2, form somewhat the shape of the letter W. The central member II is preferably tapered from the end outward to a base region [3 and terminates in similar curves I 3 and I5 curving around to meet the inner edges [6 and I! of side fingers or prongs. The curves [4 and I5 may be substantially circular sectors and the distance across at the entrance of these curves may be less than their diameter, so that a line linking into the circle will retain its position and act as a clamp as will be explained a er.

The article described may be made of various kinds of material as for instance metal, wood, paper, plastic, or a combination of elements, plastic, metal, and wood being preferred over paper for general uses where strength is required. The article must also have some spring resilience and it must be possible for the ordinary individual to bend the middle tongue I I in alignment with the outer prongs so that the top portion 2 as a whole may be slid between the closing cover and the edge walls or inner cover of a container. An illustration of the use of the supporting bracket in this way is shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The bracket may be dispensed with the container, and in this case would hold in the container as indicated in Figure 7. The container here is shown as I8 with closed bottom flaps l9 and 20. The bracket or support 2| is attached to the container by sliding the section corresponding to the section 2 in Figure 1 between the edge 22 of the container and the closing flap I9, with the legs 3 and 4 directed upwards against the side wall 23' of the container.

When the housewife purchases the article which may be soap powder or some detergent or the like, it is purchased wit-h the bracket in position, as indicated in Figure 7;")-When she gets ready to use the package, she pulls out the brack-- et 2| and inserts it in the same side again with the legs 3 and 4 however directed downward as indicated in Figures 5 and 6. One bracket would be placed on each side of the container so that the package would stand in a position as shown with the bottom off the floor.

In Figure 8, the article is shown as used as a clothespin on a line. When the contents of the package has been used up, it may be thrown away and the bracket saved and used for various purposes, one convenient use being that mentioned just above. Used as a clothespin, the pin would envelop the line 24 over which a fabric 25, as shown in Figure 8, may be draped or supported. The pin 2| will in this case be forced down over theline and the cloth until the central tongue II is on one side of the article of clothing or cloth, and the other pins and I2 on the other side. The line itself will thread through one circular recess I4 in one direction, and the other IS in the other direction, and in this way will clamp the article tightly to the line or rope.

When used as a toothbrush holder, as indicated in Figure 9, the toothbrush 25 will be supported in the circular openings 14 and IS. The toothbrush may be inserted sideways and then turned in a forward direction to lock it securely in theholder.

For use as a holder for a knife, the bracket may members each having a set of long prongs extending substantially in the same direction and short thin leg elements in a plane at right angles to said prongs, said brackets being initially attached 'to said container with the leg elements inserted between the container and cover flap, and the long prongs extending along the sides of the container flush thereto, said bracket being adapted to be removed from the container and serve as a. support therefor with long prongs inserted between the container and cover flap at the side edges of the container and the legs projecting outwards and downwards from said side edges at each side of the container whereby said container is raised from the supporting surface.

2. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, in which said supporting bracket has three long spring prongs, one set slightly out of the plane of the other two and a short plate at right angles to the prongs with slots extending in from the edge of the plate towards the vertex of the right angle.

JOSEPH A. HUMPHREYS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 429,550 Trall June 3, 1890 1,502,274 Scott July 22, 1924 1,618,384 Morris Feb. 22, 1927 2,192,526 Rosenberger Mar. 5, 1940 2,266,294 Allderice Dec. 16, 1941 

